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Skakavitsa is a valley in the Rila Mountains – part of the territory of Rila National Park. A river with the same name that runs down along the valley springs from a small lake above Skakavitsa Waterfall – the biggest in these mountains, with a free drop of 70 meters, situated at about 2000 m. above sea level. The name of the area (Skakavitsa) comes from the verb “skacham” which simply means “to jump” in Bulgarian, because of the many small water drops along the river bed.
The waterfall is accessible after a short hike from Skakavitsa Hut – the oldest in Bulgaria, built in 1922. This part of the mountains hosts Skakavitsa Reserve, one of the smallest reserves in Bulgaria, established in 1968 as a part of Rila National Park, with the aim to protect the centuries-old forests of the endemic Macedonian pine. Another waterfall, the so-called Small Skakavitsa Waterfall, is hidden in these forests above the hut.
The area is very close to the famous Seven Lakes region but relatively calm, especially in winter. At this time the waterfalls and some of the rocky slopes of the valley are all frozen and a good field for ice climbing. Best time to visit is probably in early summer (May-June) when the waterfalls are in their higher water debit and some rare flowers blossom along the river bed.
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10 comments
Iva
Hello! What is the best and fastest way to get from Bansko to the waterfall? Is there a chair lift? We are not going to have much time. Thank you!
Lyuben GrancharovAuthor
You need to drive to Zeleni Preslap via Dupnitsa and Sapareva Banya – 2,5h drive – than hike up for 1,5-2h.
Yehuda Zicherman
Hello,
We (a walking family – moderate to good shape) would like to walk from the road to the Skakavitsa hut to the Skakavitsa waterfall and then clmb to the seven lake up to the high point (the Ezeren Peak?) and then return to base through the cable car.
Does it fit a one day walking? Is there a path from the waterfall up to the lakes area? Can you make recommendations or improvements on this plan? Thank you very much in advance.
Yehuda
Lyuben GrancharovAuthor
Yes, you can do this for a day, there are a couple of trails from Skakavitsa Hut to the lakes, not from the waterfall, so you see the waterfall and return to the hut.
Eftichios Bletsas
Hello. Where is the nearest parking and how long it takes from there to walk to the waterfall? Thanks
Lyuben GrancharovAuthor
The parking lot is located at Zeleni Preslap (a detour from the asphalt 2km before Pionerska Hut). It takes around 1,5-1,45h to reach the waterfall.
Alexia
hello! From bansko how many hours is the nearest place by car to visit the waterfalls? october is suitable period?
Lyuben GrancharovAuthor
You need to drive to Dupnitsa – Sapareva Banya -Panichishte – Zeleni Preslap – around 2,5h
Reut
hey, is it possible to do a day walk from Pionerska hut to to waterfalls and back? and how long would it take?
Lyuben GrancharovAuthor
Yes, 3-4 hours in total via Skakavitsa Hut